The Prince Albert Trap and Skeet Club looks forward to another season of shooting as they hope to get going in the next few weeks.

The club, which operates as a separate venue at the Prince Albert Rifle and Pistol Club’s west range, will hold public shoots every Monday and Thursday evening.

Steve Jeffers is a “regular old member” of the club in which all involved in the tight-knit group do their part to contribute while Rod and Marcia Postle lead the way.

Jeffers said he hopes the upcoming season will bring a fresh crop of new members as the club continues to generate interest in the sport within the community.

“We went out and bought a brand new trap machine so they have invested heavily in promoting the club and keeping the equipment up to date,” Jeffers said. “It’s a nice venue out there.”

In addition to holding their public shoots twice a week, the club is also looking forward to hosting a series of National Skeet Shooting Association sanctioned events including the Prince Albert Open on May 23-25.

The club will also be hosting a zone shoot on Aug. 9-11, which will see shooters competing against clubs throughout the world, expect the U.S., as they send their scores off to the NSSA.

Jeffers explained that it is the registered skeet shooting events that keep the club together.

“When you register, your scores are recorded at the national skeet centre in the U.S.,” he explained. “You can go online and see how you do in relation to everyone else in your class.”

Much like handicapping in golf, shooters are assigned a class that will have them competing against people in their own skill range.

While noting that he’s seen some shooters, including former NHL tough guy Tiger Williams, come out to shoots with guns priced at as much as $35,000, Jeffers said that for an average Remington or Browning 12 gauge pump shotgun, you are looking at roughly $300.

Even without owning a gun, those interested in giving the sport a try need only cover the cost of ammunition and clay targets.

“We do have a club gun so if someone wanted to just come out and try it they don’t really need much,” Jeffers said of the cost to get into the sport. “If you are shooting 50 rounds let’s say, it’ll cost you $22 and that’s way less expensive than a round of golf.”

While skeet shooting involves firing shotgun rounds at clay targets flung into the air from a pair of fixed stations, trap shooting has participants shooting at targets launched from a single machine, known as a “house.”

Jeffers said that when trying the sport for the first time, trap shooting is the easier option.

“Most guys shoot eight or 10 of 25 in their first round of skeet,” he explained. “In trap you are probably going to shoot in the 14-15 range. Trap is a little easier for people to catch on.”

As the club looks forward to their first event in Allan on May 2-4, Jeffers and other members encourage anyone interested in taking up the sport to join.

“It’s a great bunch of people,” Jeffers said of his club. “People interested in trying it out can just give us a call or pop by and we’ll be happy to show you around.”

For more information of the Prince Albert Trap and Skeet Club, visit pashotgunsports.wordpress.com.